With Ulster currently sitting fourth in the URC table, the province will be hoping to build momentum from last weekend’s crucial win against Sale Sharks in the Heineken Champions Cup, which was sealed in front of a boisterous home support.
A win could see the Ulster Men leapfrog the Vodacom Bulls into third place. The match is also important for the Stormers, who sit in second position, as they hope to close the gap to Leinster at the top of the table.
Match tickets are still available and can be found at ulster.rugby/buytickets.
Ulster Assistant Coach, Jonny Bell, says the province know just how big a threat the Stormers pose:
"They are going to be a very difficult animal to what we faced last week. They are powerful, but move really fast around the pitch, so we need to control the ball well when we have it and make sure that we are smart defensively."
Ulster make one change to the front row, with loosehead prop Eric O’Sullivan coming in alongside Tom Stewart and Jeff Toomaga-Allen.
Alan O’Connor will lead the side once again, with club captain Iain Henderson in camp with the Ireland squad ahead of the upcoming Guinness Six Nations.
Sam Carter retains his place at lock alongside O’Connor, with Academy product Harry Sheridan keeping his place at blindside flanker after an impressive home debut last weekend against Sale Sharks. Last weekend’s Heineken Star of the Match, Nick Timoney, continues at openside alongside Duane Vermeulen at Number 8.
Nathan Doak and Billy Burns are also rewarded for their performances last week as they pair up again at 9 and 10 respectively.
James Hume retains his place at outside centre, and he is joined by Stewart Moore at inside centre, who comes in for Ireland-bound Stuart McCloskey.
The back three has just one change, with Academy graduate Ben Moxham coming in for Jacob Stockdale. Winger Rob Lyttle will hope to continue his try-scoring form and Mike Lowry completes the starting XV.
On the bench, John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Andrew Warwick, Kieran Treadwell and Jordi Murphy provide the forward cover, with John Cooney, Ian Madigan and Ethan McIlroy named as the backline options.
Ulster team to play DHL Stormers in the BKT United Rugby Championship on Friday 27 January at Kingspan Stadium (Kick-off 7.35pm)
(15-9) Mike Lowry, Rob Lyttle, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga Allen, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter, Harry Sheridan, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements:
(16-23) John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Andrew Warwick, Kieran Treadwell, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Ian Madigan, Ethan McIlroy.
The Opposition: DHL Stormers
(15-9) Clayton Blommetjies, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruhan Nel, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cornel Smit, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Stefan Ungerer;
(1-8) Ali Vermaak, JJ Kotze, Brok Harris, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marvin Orie (Capt.), Junior Pokomela, Willie Engelbrecht, Evan Roos.
Replacements:
(16-23) Scarra Ntubeni, Kwenzo Blose, Sazi Sandi, Ruben van Heerden, Marcel Theunissen, Herschel Jantjies, Kade Wolhuter, Juan de Jongh.